P.M. BRIEFING : P&G; Plans Center in New Japan City

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble Co. said today that it plans to build a combined headquarters and technical center on Japan’s Rokko Island, where a new city is being built along Osaka Bay.

Procter & Gamble said the new building will consolidate headquarter functions now spread over five locations in Osaka and will be home for certain research and development functions now handled in the United States. The Cincinnati-based company said its decision to establish the research facility recognizes Japan as a major source of product and packaging technology for P&G;’s worldwide business.